Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli missed a front‑row start at the Austrian Grand Prix after mistaking a single yellow flag for a double during Q3 at the Red Bull Ring, Sky Sports reported.
Mistaken Yellow Flag Cost Front Row
The final moments of Q3 unfolded when Max Verstappen lost control in the speed trap, triggering a brief yellow flag zone. Mercedes teammate George Russell saw a single yellow, eased past it in line with regulations, and crossed the line for pole position.
Antonelli, positioned behind Verstappen, abandoned his flying lap immediately, claiming he believed the warning was a double yellow and thus had no option but to stop. “I didn’t know it was a double yellow; I aborted the lap,” he explained in a post‑qualifying interview.
Expert Analysis Highlights Rule Nuances
Former Star Lotus driver Karun Chandhok praised Russell’s quick rule‑savvy reaction and suggested Antonelli’s mistake reflected a lack of experience. “George knew the regulations; he reacted correctly as the flags were diagonal only once,” Chandhok said.
He added, “Antonelli was the car behind Verstappen. He didn’t have a moment to see it, and the eyeline in a high‑speed corner is to the right, toward the apex.”
Front‑Row Lineup Secured
As a result, Russell led the Austrian Grand Prix grid from pole with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc beside him. Lewis Hamilton will start third, while Antonelli’s fourth spot will be the closest finish to the front row.
“I am sure he is disappointed, but he shouldn’t beat himself up too much,” Chandhok concluded, underscoring the learning point for the aspiring driver.
Photo by Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images.
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